An international social media campaign pushing for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly has taken off on Facebook and Twitter.
The World Health Assembly is the WHO’s decision-making body. Taiwan had been an observer at the assembly’s annual meetings, but China has blocked Taiwan from attending since President Tsai Ing-wen took office.
The 48-hour social media campaign is using the hashtag “LetTaiwanHelp” to drum up support for Taiwan’s return for this year’s assembly meeting, slated for May 24.
The foreign ministry has welcomed the campaign, saying it shows that public support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA is mainstream in democratic countries.
The foreign ministry also says that Taiwan is willing and able to join the world in overcoming the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. It says that Taiwan stands ready to contribute to global disease-prevention efforts and to post-pandemic recovery.